Retriever



G. J. DAWN RETRIEVER Nov. 1, 1938.

Filed July 20, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l allllillllltllr il G. J. DAWN Nov, 1, 1938.

RETRIEVER Filed July 20, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 1, v 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

This invention relates to a retriever which in one embodiment of the invention may be employed as a retriever for recovering a golf ball from water hazards, ditches, or any place out of 5 normal reach of a person.

One object of the invention is to provide a device of this character including an elongated handle carrying a stationary member at its outer or front end and a rotary shaft journaled through the handle and having actuating means at its rear end for turning the shaft and at its front end provided with a member movable towards and away from the stationary member when the shaft is turned in the proper direction. It will thus be seen that the device may beheld by its handle and rotary motion imparted to the shaft so that a golf ball may be gripped between the stationary member and the movable member or a closure carried by the movable member moved into closing relation to a net carried by the stationary member.

Another object of the invention is to so form the handle and the rotary shaft journaled through the handle that sections having telescoping engagement with each other may be slid longitudinally and thus reduce the handle and the shaft to such a length that the device may be easily carried in a golf bag or in a persons hand and be extended longitudinally to any desired length in its limits during 'use if found necessary.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which is of a simple construction, very easy to operate and not liable to get out of order.

The invention is illustrated in the accompany-- ing drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view of a golf ball retriever constructed in accordance with this invention,

Figure 2 is a sectional View taken longitudinally through the handle and rotary shaft,

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken transversely through the handle and the shaft along the line 3-3 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view of the forward end portion of the deviceand illustrating a modified construction,

50 Figure 5 is a fragmentary view illustrating a modified formation of the forward end portion ofthe rear section of the handle,

Figure 6 is a view illustrating another modified form of forward end portion 'fortherear handle section,

Figure '7 is a sectional view taken longitudinally through a. modified form of retriever,

Figure 8 is aview looking down upon a portion of Figure '7, and

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken transversely through Figure '7 upon the line 9-9.

This improved retrieving device is provided with a handle I consisting of a forward section 2 and a rear section 3. All of the sections are formed of tubing which may be made of metal or any suitable material and may be round, hexagonal, square or any other desired regular or irregular shape in cross section and of any desired length and diameter, provided the relative diameters of the two sections are such that the forward sections may be slidably received in the rear sections and thus the two sections have telescopic engagement with each other. The forward extremity of the rear handle section is crimped inwardly, as shown at 4 in Figures 1 and 2, and slit longitudinally, as shown at 5, so that the forward end portion of the rear handle section, which is formed of resilient metal, will have binding engagement with the forward section. If so desired, the rear section may be formed of metal or any suitable material which is not necessarily resilient, in which case a split ring 6 of resilient metal or other suitable material will be engaged about the forward end of the rear handle section in the external circumferentially extending feet defined by the crimped portion 4 and cause a good binding engagement between the rear handle section and the forward handle section. Such a construction is illustrated in Figure 5, and in Figure 6 there has been shown another modified construction wherein the forward end portion of the rear handle section is split longitudinally, as shown at 1, and is externally tapered and threaded, as shown at B, in order that a clamping ring 9 may be screwed upon the forward end portion of the rear handle section to draw this split forward end portion into tight binding engagement with the forward handle section.

A rod or actuating shaft extends longitudinally through the tubular handle, and upon referring to Figure 2, it will be seen that this shaft consists of a front section II] and a rear section II, the rear section being of tubular formation and having telescoping engagement with the front section which is preferably solid but may be tubular if so desired. The forward portion of the front section I0 projects outwardly through the front end of the forward handle section 2 and is bent laterally to form a jaw l2 which is arcuate longidisposed in planes at opposite sides of the jaw 12 and are also arcuate longitudinally, as shown clearly in Figures 1 and 3, a golf ball l6 may be very firmly gripped between the jaws or claws when the jaw 12 is swung toward the jaws l3. End portions of the forwardhandlesection 2 are bent inwardly to provide'a circumferentially extending abutment flange IT for engagement by a a ring l8 seated in a circumferentially extending groove l9 formed in the forward portion of the front shaft section In, and it 'willLbe treadilyunderstood that, when the front shaftv section is thrust into the handle and the forward portion of the handle section 2 then rolled inwardly to form 'thefiange l1, longitudinal movement of the shaft section ID will be limited and the jaw or core l2 cannot move out of its proper relation to the jaws 13. The tubular rear shaft section II fits snugly about the forward shaft section but is loosely rea ceived in the rear portionof theforward handle section 2, and referring to Figure 2,i t will be seen that the rear end of the forward handle section is crimped, as shown at 20, to provide a circum-r ferentially extending external seat into which fits an inwardly extending rib formed by crimping the rear handle section inwardly, as shown at 2|. By this arrangement rearward" sliding of, the rear handle sectionalong the forward handle section will be halted when the rear handle section reaches the position shown in Figures l and 2. 'I he rear end portion of the rear shaft section I l carries a pin 22 which passes transversely through it and serves to limit rearward sliding of the rear shaft section through the rear handle section by engagement with the inturned circumferentially extending flange23 and the portion of the rear shaft section'which projects from the rear end' of the rear handle section laterally to provide aturning member 24. By'so mounting the rear shaft section it may slide longitudinally with the rear handle section, and in view of the fact that the rear shaft section and the forward shaft-section have frictional engagement witheach other, the forward shaft section will be turned with the rear shaft section when the turning member 24 is grasped and movement imparted thereto ina di rection to rotate the shaft and move the jaw I2 toward or away from the two jaws l 3. It will thus beseen that, when the retriever is in use,'it may be extended to any desired length in itslimit by drawing the rear handle section rearwardly of the front handle sectionand the hand-hold 25 then grasped with one hand and the retriever extended toward a golf'ball in a ditch, water hazard or remote place. It is then merely'necessary to impart turning movement to the shaft and the jaw I 2 will be moved toward the jaw |3,,.to grip the ball, After the golf ball has. been grippedbetween-the jaws, itis merely necessary to draw the retriever towards the person using the same and then actuate the'turning member 24 to move the jaw l2 away from the jaws l3 and the ball will be released. The rear handle section and the rear shaft section. maythen; be thrust forwardly to a retracted position and the retrieving device will be shortened to such an extent that it can be easily placed'in a golf bag. Instead of welding or otherwise firmly securing the cross-head [4 to the front end ,of the forward handle section, it may be provided with a socket 26, as shown in Figure 4, which is firmly secured under the cross-head in any desired manner and is internally threaded in order that it may be screwed upon the forward end portion of the forward handle section. While the handle has been shown formed of two sections,'it isobvious that it may be formed of three,

four or any desired number of sections. By plac ing soft rubber tubing about thejaws l2 and I3, the device may be used for picking fruit without bruising the fruit.

In Figures 7, 8 and 9, there has been illustrated a retriever of the type illustrated in Figures 1 through 6 but of a modified construction. In this embodiment of the invention, there has been shown a handle formed of a front section 32, a rear section 33, and an intermediate section 34. These sections are of tubular formation, as shown in Figures 7 and 9, and may be of any length and diameter-desired. While they have been shown formed with six faces in Figure 9, it is to be understood that they maybe of any cross sectional outline desired. It will also be understood that, while the handle has been shown formed, of three sections, any number may be provided. The forward end portion of the intermediate section is slit longitudinally from its front end to provide latches 35 located at opposite sides of the handle section and the forward or free end portion of each of these latchesis bent inwardly, as shown in Figure 7, to provide the latch with a bill 36 adapted to engage in a seat 31 formed in the fronthandle section metrically oppositeeach other, it is to be understood that one or any other number desired may be'provided. ,In view of the fact that the handle sections have flat faces, they will be prevented from turning relative to each' other and the latches will, therefore, always be in the proper position for entering the seats 37 'and limiting outward movement of the front handle section from the intermediate section.

Movement of the intermediate'section should also be limited asit is drawn outwardly from the rear handle section and thus prevent accidental entire withdrawal ,of'the intermediate section.

In order to doso, tongues 38 have been struck from certain of the fiat faces of the rear handle section and curvedlongitudinally so that they protrude inwardly for engagement in slots, 39 formed in corresponding'faces of the intermediate section in spaced relation vto the rear e nd thereof. By so forming the tongues or latches 38, their free rear ends may have abutting engagement with the intermediate handle section at rear ends of the slot 39 to limit outward longitudinal movement of the intermediate section 7 but, when the intermediate section is moved rearwardly into the rear section, the curved 'latching tongues will be flexed outwardly through the 'slot 40 of the rear'section and rearward movement of the intermediate section will-not be interfered with. .It will thus be seen that'the intermediate section'as well as the front section of the handle may be freely moved-rearwardly to a retracted position but forward or outward movement of the intermediate section will be limited. When it is desired to entirely remove the intermediate section from the rear section, it is merely necessary to spring the free rear ends of the latching tongues outwardly by a pin or the like inserted through the slot 40 and the intermediate section may then be entirely withdrawn. Inwardly extending annular guide flanges 41,42 and 43 are formed at rear ends of the handle sections 32, 33 and 34 which define circular openings, as shown in Figure 11, and at its front end the forward handle section is also formed with an annular guide flange 44 defining a circular opening. A hand-hold 45, corresponding to the hand-hold 25, is mounted upon the rear handle section and at its front end the front handle section carries a crosshead 46 and jaws 41, corresponding to the jaws I3 and cross-head l4. A shield 48 of soft rubber is fitted upon each of the jaws 41 so that this device may be employed for removing fruit from trees without bruising the fruit. It is to be understood that the soft rubber sleeves may be omitted when the device is to be used for retrieving golf balls and the like.

The actuating shaft, which corresponds to the actuating shaft shown in Figure 2, consists of a forward section 49 which is preferably of solid metal or other desired material, and an intermediate section 50 and rear section 5|, both of which are of tubular formation. The shaft sections correspond in cross sectional outline to the sections of the handle but need not necessarily be of this particular cross sectional outline. In view of the fact that the actuating shaft is to be turned in the handle, the opening defined by the flanges of the handle section must be circular, as shown in Figure 9. The diameter of the opening defined by each of the flanges is such that, while it permits the shaft section to turn, the marginal edge of the flange will have contacting engagement with the shaft section and the shaft will be maintained in concentric relation to the handle and sliding movement of the shaft section guided. A ring 52, corresponding to the ring 3 and mounted in a circumferentially extending groove 53 formed in the forward shaft section, is provided to engage the front flange 44 and limit forward sliding movement of the front shaft section relative to the front handle section. There has also been provided a pin 54, corresponding to the pin 22, secured through the rear shaft section in position to engage the rear flange 42 and limit rearward longitudinal movement of the rear shaft section relative to the rear handle section. The intermediate shaft section is provided at its front end with latches 55 which are of the same construction as the latches 35 of the intermediate handle section and terminate in bills 56 for engaging in the recesses or seats 51 formed in the forward shaft section. It will thus be seen that forward longitudinal movement of the front shaft section will be limited in the same manner in which forward movement of the front handle section is controlled. Latching tongues 58, which correspond to the latching tongues 38, are cut from forward end portions of the rear shaft section for engaging in slots 59 formed in the rear portion of the intermediate shaft section and limiting forward movement of the intermediate section 50 out of the rear shaft section 51. The protruding rear end portion of the rear shaft section is bent laterally to provide a turning member 60, corresponding to the turning member 24, and the protruding forward end.

covered by a shield 62 of soft rubber tubing when the device is used for picking fruit but the protecting tube will be omitted when the device is to be used for retrieving golf balls and the like.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is: r

1. A device of the character described comprising a tubular handle formed of companion sections, the said sections being in telescoping engagement with each other, a shaft extending longitudinally through said handle and having companion sections in telescoping engagement with each other and with the forward portion of a section of the shaft fitting snugly about the rear portion of a section in front of the same in frictionally gripping engagement therewith, the rear end of the rear section being projected from the rear end of the rear handle section and bent to form a turning member, the front end of the forward shaft section being projected forwardly from the front handle section and bent to provide a movable member extending laterally of the shaft and handle, and a stationary member carried by the front end of the forward handle section in cooperating relation to the movable member.

2. A device of the character described comprising a tubular handle consisting of front and rear sections in telescoping engagement with each other, the forward end of the rear handle section being slit longitudinally, a binding member about the slit forward end of the rear handle member contracting the same to create frictional binding between the handle sections, portions of the front and rear handle sections being crimped to form a circumferentially extending seat and a circumferentially extending rib for engaging in the seat and holding rearward sliding movement of the rear handle section along the front handle section, a shaft extending through said handle and consisting of front and rear sections in telescoping engagement with each other, means for preventing sliding of the shaft sections out of the handle section, a stationary member carried by the front handle section and extending laterally therefrom, the forward portion of the forward shaft section being. extended out of the handle and bent to form a laterally extending movable member in cooperatitng relation to the stationary member, and the rear end portion of the rear shaft section being extended out of the handle and bent to form a turning member.

3. A device of the character described comprising a tubular handle of telescoping sections, a shaft of telescoping sections extending longitudinally through the handle and rotatable therein, an outer one of a companion pair of telescoping sections being formed with a resilient latching strip and the companion inner telescoping section being formed with a seat to receive a portion of the resilient latch and limit longitudinal sliding movement of the inner telescoping section out of the outer telescoping section, and means for imparting turning movement to said shaft.

4. A device of the character described comprising a tubular handle of telescoping sections, a shaft of telescoping sections extending longitudinally through the handle and rotatable therein, the rear section of said shaft being provided with turning means, an outer one of a companion 'pairiof telescoping sections being, slit from-its Vtfrontend'toprovide a, resilient latching tongue having its frontend bent inwardly to provide a bill, and the inner one'of-the companion telescoping sectionsbeingformed with a seat to receive the bill andlimit forward movement of the inner telescopingse'ction out-of the outer telescoping "section; w

' 5. A device of the character described comprising a tubular handle of. telescoping sections, a shaft of telescoping sections'extending longitudi- :nally :thro'ugh the' handle and Q rotatable therein,

the rear sectiton of "said shaft being provided with turning means,;an outer one of a companion pair of telescoping sections having a-tongue out therefrom and curved longitudinally to ,provide aninwardlyi extendinglatch, and the inner end of the companion telescoping sections being formed with a slot to receive and limit longitudinal movement of the, outer telescoping section. V

' GEORGE J. DAWN; 

